Reface or Replace: Upgrading Your Kitchen Cabinets
When remodeling your kitchen, the cabinets are often the first and most logical thing to consider. After all, they take up a significant portion of your kitchen so stylistic touches will be noticed. Upgrading your kitchen cabinets is also an easy way to quickly increase functionality.
Upgrading Your Kitchen Cabinets Without Replacing Them
There are two primary ways to remodel your cabinets – you can reface them or replace them.
But what does each option mean for your kitchen? Which will be best for you and your family in the long run?
Refacing cabinets has been getting a lot of attention these days because it is a cheaper option than replacing the entire structure.
However, it’s a good idea to do a thorough comparison – considering costs and benefits – before you commit.
After all, it’s not likely that you’ll be remodeling those cabinets too often so it’s important to get the style and functionality you need.
What does resurfacing your kitchen cabinets mean?
Refacing means that you are changing the outside elements of your cabinets – cabinet doors, the front of your drawers, and the hardware (your knobs and handles). With refacing, your kitchen shelving and structure will remain in place.
Refacing cabinets is best if you simply want to change the color or style of your cabinets, not design or functionality.
Refacing your cabinets can be a good option if:
- You want to keep the existing footprint of your kitchen
- There’s no need to add, change, or modernize storage
- You have quality cabinets that will last a long time
- Your priority is to save money
When to consider replacing your kitchen cabinets
While refacing may be a good choice if you’re happy with the current storage and footprint of your kitchen, replacing your cabinets gives you the opportunity to improve kitchen functionality.
Some key questions to ask are:
- Do you foresee any changes to how many people will be using your kitchen – children beginning to prepare their own meals, older family members moving in, or children moving out?
- Are you happy with your current storage system?
- Would you like modern options like sliding shelves or cabinets under an island?
If adding functionality is a priority, then consider replacing cabinets.
And when measuring the additional cost, it’s important to consider the value of having a kitchen that really works for you now and can grow with you. It also can add to your resale value if you sell your home – great cabinets are always a big draw for buyers.
Is it Time to Replace My Kitchen Cabinets?
Replacing cabinets can benefit you if you live in an older home.
Older homes tend to have smaller kitchens with less storage and cabinets may not be in stellar condition. It’s a good idea to really take a look inside at the structure and make sure the wood is in good condition.
Refacing cannot address structural problems with kitchen cabinets.
Replacing kitchen cabinets allows you to change the layout of your kitchen. You can add cabinets to an empty wall spot, or utilize other forms of storage to address the issue of dead space in the kitchen.
Plus, if you plan on adding a kitchen island, or otherwise changing your kitchen’s footprint, you will want to add cabinets to maximize space.
After working with clients for over sixty years here in the Lehigh Valley, our experience is that – while remodeling cabinets is more expensive than refacing – it’s important to think through both options and understand the benefits and costs of each.
Want to talk to an expert about resurfacing versus remodeling your cabinets?
Contact the experts at Agentis. Our experts have been serving clients for over sixty years in the Lehigh Valley, and are always ready to help.